Looking Back at Love
Birth, marriage, and death (BMD) records are the cornerstone of genealogy research, offering glimpses into the milestones that shaped family histories over generations. These records are considered vital (since at least two of the life events are guaranteed!) and typically leave some form of official documentation, like birth certificates, that can be used to research family history.
But did you know that old newspapers can shine a light on earlier eras and even help uncover missing pieces of your family’s story? Long before social media, newspapers were the go-to source for sharing life’s biggest moments. From wedding announcements to engagement stories and even community gossip, these pages are brimming with personal stories that can add rich, romantic details to your family tree.
In honour of Valentine’s Day this month, discover some great love stories—even your ancestors’—in The Globe and Mail Historical newspaper archive, available online through Burlington Public Library!
Wedding Inspiration
It was common for historical marriage and wedding announcements to go beyond just announcing the bride and groom’s names. Newspapers would often include information on the bridal party, guests, floral arrangements, honeymoon plans and more. These details can give you a peek into bygone bridal trends and provide some inspiration for your own wedding planning!
If you are a historical fashionista, you can research what wedding fashions were in style. For the 1939 wedding of Theresa Hyslop and John Jarvis, The Globe and Mail reported the bride wore a homemade, white taffeta gown while the groom wore a white gabardine suit. They even reported that all the wedding attendants wore white leghorn picture hats with wide brims and black velvet ribbon, and many more details.1
Other wedding reports, like one for the Rhynas-Williamson wedding in 1930, include details on the decorations (“palms, ferns, asters and gladioli in mauve, yellow and pink”), musical entertainment (“strains of wedding music played by Miss Margaret Dalton, organist and choir leader”), the honeymoon itinerary (Vancouver, Victoria, Lake Louise and Banff), and more.2
Milestone Anniversaries
A long-lasting marriage is something to be celebrated. Newspapers often report on couples that reach milestone anniversaries, and these articles can be full of useful information on your ancestors.
The Globe article about Mr. and Mrs. Tuck’s 60th anniversary in May 1929 has many details including where they were born, their wedding, various places they lived, and information on their descendants.3 Bonus tip! You can also search BPL’s Burlington Digital Archive for your ancestors’ names. Photographs and other records may have been digitized, like those of the Tuck family.
A newspaper report on Mr. and Mrs. Slade of Burlington includes lots of details on their wedding as well as their 50th anniversary party.4 The article notes changes in society from their wedding in 1888 (“work was plentiful then, with fair wages and low commodity prices”) to 1938. There is even information on the military history of the family.
Always pay close attention to the details when you read these types of articles—you never know what tidbits you may find!
True Life Rom-Coms
You may be lucky to come across an ancestor who had a love story like something from the movies. In 1860, The Globe and Mail published the love story of Louis and Susan, who almost lost each other when Susan thought Louis was dead in a maritime disaster.5 But through luck, newspaper reporting, and second chances, they found each other again and married!
Or, like a historical Love is Blind-type dating show, you may find a story like one published in 1888 of a bride and groom who knew each other only through letters. They were married promptly after their first meeting in real life.6
And have no fear, rom-com moments didn’t only happen in the past. Newspapers continue to provide insight into real life romances that will provide future genealogists with useful information. In 2020, an article told the story of how a stranger found a lost ring in the snow and tracked down the couple it belonged to. The couple’s love story and their new friendship were all detailed in the newspaper.7
You can find the articles featured here by signing in to The Globe and Mail Historical and searching:
- "Midsummer Day Bride, Her Maids, the Bridegroom, Attendants All Honor Season,” The Globe and Mail. June 24, 1939, pg. 11
- “Weddings: Rhynas-Williamson,” The Globe and Mail. August 29, 1930, pg. 16
- “Burlington Couple 60 Years Married,” The Globe. May 21, 1929, pg. 2
- “Burlington Folk Married 50 Years,” The Globe and Mail. March 5, 1938, pg. 11
- “A True Love Story,” The Globe. March 1, 1860, pg. 1
- “Wooing by Letter,” The Globe. May 26, 1888, pg. 1
- “Striking Gold Amid the Snow,” The Globe and Mail. February 14, 2020, pg. A17
Where to Find The Globe and Mail Historical
Select RESOURCES on BPL’s website main menu to find The Globe and Mail Historical under Learning & Research > Reference & Research. Connect directly to the online resource or select More Info to read how to access The Globe and Mail Historical on your laptop or device; no app is available.
Access The Globe and Mail Historical from home using your 14-digit BPL card number or inside BPL branches without logging in.
Try The Globe and Mail Historical now
Top image: BPL's Local History and Digital Archive Coordinator Kaitlin with photos of (left) "Wedding of Evelyn Sovereign to Bob Ecclestone" (11 May 1935), and (right) "Wedding of Eleanore Babb to Earl Sovereign" (25 March 1936) from the Sovereign Family fonds.
